Outcome of confrontations with soldiers could be dire – GAF warns public

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a warning regarding the potential outcomes of confrontations with soldiers, in response to viral videos on social media calling for violence against military and other security personnel.

According to GAF, such calls are not only unlawful but also pose a serious threat to Ghana's security and stability.

In a statement dated Monday, June 10, 2024, GAF emphasized that soldiers, like all individuals, have the right to self-defense when faced with imminent threats or attacks that endanger their lives or the lives of others.

"In situations where soldiers are confronted with immediate threats or acts of violence, they are allowed to use necessary and proportionate force to protect themselves and others. It must be noted that the outcome of such avoidable confrontations may be unpleasant and dire," the statement read.

"GAF wishes to remind and caution the public that assaulting or attacking soldiers is a grave offense punishable by law. The force implores all citizens to respect, cooperate with, and support soldiers, and to refrain from engaging in acts of violence or incitement against them. GAF reiterated its commitment to upholding the values of professionalism, integrity, and service to the nation," it added.

The statement follows the circulation of a viral video in which the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Amenfi East, Ernest-Frimpong, was captured calling for assaults on unauthorized soldiers and other security officials who attempt to hinder the activities of small-scale miners.

In the video, the candidate addressed a group of small-scale miners, stating, "Operation halt, galamstop, whatever, whatever, soldiers that ambush you, we have cancelled all those operations, and officially they do not have permission to run such operations again."

He continued, "So, if anyone comes to your site, you have the right to question him on his mission there. If he says he is on patrol, then that is good because the patrol by the police and the security services protects you and reduces the incidents of robbery...

"But if anyone comes around and says, 'Because he is a soldier, leave the site and dismantle your machines,' don't be moved by the uniform he is wearing. If he beats you, equally beat him. Fight him; I will come to your defense," he charged the miners to rousing applause.

The exact date of the video's recording is unknown. However, the candidate, who spoke in the presence of the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, and some party executives in the region, defended his call by reiterating that no official operation has been sanctioned for soldiers to stop illegal mining activities.

"As I said, the authority which he could use to arrest you has been seized; hence, if you are doing illegal [mining] and he wants to arrest you, he is also engaging in an illegality, so you should also arrest him," he added.

Ghana has been grappling with the effects of rampant illegal mining in recent years, which has led to the destruction of several water bodies and forest cover.

Meanwhile, Ernest-Frimpong has expressly denied inciting violence against security officers.

According to the parliamentary candidate, he never endorsed or called for unjustified assualt on soldiers, and that the said video in circulation has been doctored to suit a certain narrative.

PRESS RELEASE pic.twitter.com/JA5lWhdsRc

— Ghana Air Force (@ghana_airforce) June 10, 2024